9:23am Thursday 19th February 2009
By Lucie Richards
MILLIONS of people dream of win-ning the lottery every week, but would it bring them happiness?
Money, happiness and valuing what you have are all explored in Lucky Sods, a play about an ordinary couple from Yorkshire who win big.
Written by John Godber for the Hull Truck Theatre Company in 1995, months after the National Lottery began, this version – directed by Nick Lane, who was in the original cast – is just as pertinent today.
After Jean and Morris win £2million, they can suddenly go on that trip to Los Angeles and build a new conservatory – but in return their simple life becomes complicated.
As Jean – a brilliant Jacqueline Naylor – aptly observes: “I didn’t know I had this many friends”.
Her sister Annie and brother-in-law Norman are unimpressed by the lucky sods’ lack of generosity, and existing cracks in the winning couple’s relationship widen.
The acting is spot on, each making the most of their character’s comic potential. In the case of Fiona Wass – who plays Annie, Morris’ old flame Connie and his mother – and James Weaver – a chameleon as Annie’s dim-wit husband Norman, an American waiter and a vicar – they each achieve this three times over.
Naylor and Gordon Kane (pictured) as Morris, also capture the emotional depth of the central couple who, the dialogue implies, have been through a lot together.
The play is well paced, using simple sets and lighting to create backdrops as diverse as Holland, a churchyard and an American hotel room.
Appropriate music – including The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love and Ocean Colour Scene’s Lining Your Pockets in the interval – also reinforce its message.
Although aspects of the play are a little far-fetched, the premise is credible and thought-provoking, and for all its funny banter, Lucky Sods ends with a sting all the more keenly felt by an audience loosened up by laughter.
–Lucie Richards
Lucky Sods is at The Haymarket until Saturday, performances at 7.30pm, from £16.50 and concessions, and a matinee performance at 2pm on Saturday, for £12. Tickets can be booked at the Anvil Arts box office, on 01256 844244, or at anvil arts.org.uk.
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